Elster88

MFS62 wrote: The rap I hear most for A-Rod is that he is a complier- great stats but not many of his hits game-changing. Benitez has a similar rap. I think there is a strong argument that he's not the most valuable on his own team because of Rivera, but I'd take him to play short over wunderkind Jose Reyes (blasphemy, I know).

Yancy Street Gang wrote: ="Elster88"]But there's no excuse for an intelligent fan saying he wouldn't want ARod on his team when money is out of the equation. Would you say the same thing about Roger Clemens? (Forget his age, let's say it's the Roger Clemens of five years ago.) His talent is undeniable, yet he'd be a hard guy to root for. True...but I was talking about ARod. When ARod hits Mike Piazza in the head with a fastball and then throws a bat at him in the World Series, then there is an excuse not to want him on your team. I don't put trying to knock a ball out of a guy's glove (and then lying like a 5 year-old caught stealing a cookie) in the same ballpark with Asshead's history.

metirish wrote: That's the thing Elster, it's not just fans that call him "the cooler" but wasn't that term coined by a former Rangers teammate? I didn't know that. I can chalk that up to his teammate either thinking ARod is a whiny prick (understandable and possibly true?) or jealous of his money and ladies (also understandable). But there's no excuse for an intelligent fan saying he wouldn't want ARod on his team when money is out of the equation.

smg58 wrote: I don't see the logic in paying $10M to a backup catcher. I'm guessing the writer didn't know the arbitration rules. Yeah a good point. But I have a man-crush on Piazza.

Johnny Dickshot wrote: Having MP back with the understanding he needn't be in there every day and won't be counted on to carry the offense but will waggle the bat in the on-deck circle every time we're down by 1 and have a man on base in the 8th inning might be worth $10 million fish. I love it. I've been pushing for this all along. Actually I've been pushing for starting him and batting him seventh or eighth. I don't understand the love affair with the Molinas and Ramon Hernandezes.

The hate for ARod is unbelievable. While watching MNF with a couple of buddies yesterday, one of them, who is very sports-intelligent and a Met fan, insisted he would not want ARod on his team (and we were doing this in the hypothetical where he doesn't cost $25 mil per year). Among his arguments: "He's a cooler." "Every time he left a team they got better." "He doesn't come through in the clutch." My arguments: "Two-time MVP" "Most home runs by a right handed hitter ever at a park that's been around a long time." "Arguably one of the best shortstops in history" (All handily shot down because ARod is a "cooler".) Look at the two sets of arguments. To hear this drivel from an intelligent being drove me near insanity. If it was a moronic Yankee fan I wouldn't care, but how can an otherwise knowledgeable Met fan insist that he wouldn't want one of the greatest players of his (or any?) era on his team? Thanks for letting my rant, if you're still reading.

Beenso wrote: ive been out of the loop. when exactly does the network begin airing? im a cablevision customer, am i gonna have the same problem as yankee fans had a couple years back. I think I'm fucked with DISH network.

duan wrote: If I was Mike Piazza I'd accept arbitration in heartbeat. He'd be guaranteed 70% of his existing salary. Wow. Dangerous to play this game with Mike, no matter how nice a guy he is. I'd take the money, sit the bench and laugh my way to the bank, too.

I never read JD's article before, but it's pretty much exactly the scenario I envisioned. *pats self on the back*

Mark Healey wrote: Suggesting that a writer "pulls stuff out of his ass" or :makes things up" is very serious charge and one that should not be made lightly. When I referred to pulling from the ass, I meant what I already said: Using a shaky source or quote to lend credibility to a story. I thought it was obvious that I didn't mean making things up out of thin air. But after I realized some were taking offense, I clarified this remark with my following posts. I also already said that I wasn't referring to anyone in particular with this statement. Stop being so pissed off by an off-the-cuff remark that I have clarified three or four times now. Again, I don't see how you can argue that this (using a shaky source/quote to lend credibility to a story) doesn't happen all the time. Mark Healey wrote: Oh and btw, making a distinction between journalists and sports writers is not only biased, but insulting. I agree here, as I already said in my reply to Nymr. All journalists are capable of being ethical or shady without risk of being fired, dependent on the magazine or newspaper they write for. _____________________________ This post had the designation 125) Ed Charles

Valadius wrote: With all the clutch hits he delivered, he deserved to win the MVP. I think ARod had good numbers down the stretch too. But only in games where they were way up or way down, right? Benitez couldn't get it done in the clutch either.

MFS62 wrote: My daughrer was a MAryland Terp. If I'd known she could have been associating with Yankee fans, I would have dragged her home. BTW- nobody there could figure out where she was from. Apparently, folks from Connecticut don't have a readily recognizable accent. Later Maybe Maryland just isn't far south enough? One state farther south and they had me pegged as a northerner, though they mistakenly thought New York. Probably since I come from a family of guidos.

]At least Bronx native, J-Lo has stayed away for the most part. J-Lo wouldn't put a toe into the Bronx without 10 bodyguards and an armored car. But she's still she's still Jenny from the block. I liked her in Out of Sight though. Still haven't gotten around to seeing her topless scene in Money Train. Anyone catch that?

Edgy DC wrote: Let's see what Ms. My-Night-of-Terror is up to. She's not that bad. She even rips into the "mystique and aura." ]So let�s get it straight for those of you who don�t already know�when the Yankees need a big come from behind victory or something dramatic occurs, they have a direct line to the old ghosts of the Stadium and they simply call up their pals for a dose of destiny. So what�s their excuse when they don�t win? The line was busy? She seems intelligent and has a sense of humor and doesn't buy into mystique and aura. Silver in disguise maybe? Edit: Oops, didn't read the second half of the article before my post. Still seems halfway intelligent to me.

Diamond Dad wrote: And if you want to watch the game at the local bar without being hassled -- don't wear your Yankee uniform. Haha. I know. I don't condone the behavior, but it's hilarious when people are ABSOLUTELY SHOCKED (with exclamation points) when they hear shit from drunken slobs at a bar or the park if they wear an outside team's colors. It's even hypocritical. You're being a peacock in foreign territory and then get all snooty when you get jawed at. Nothing like riding your high horse off a cliff. I like the people who wear visitor's stuff and then get into good-natured arguments. I wouldn't necessarily have the balls to be that guy anymore, but I like the back-and-forth with them.

="Frayed Knot"]They're saying that it's the 1st NYY MVP award since Mattingly in '85, except that this shouldn't count because we all know that A-Rod (all together now) ISN'T A TRUE YANKEE!!!! Somewhat refreshing. I'm sure I'd be sick of it if they were gloating about it. There are just so many ways to hate Yankee fans.

Nymr83 wrote: the consequences for a sportswriter making up rumors while quoting an anonymous source are not going to be severe even if they exist at all.... Yup, I agree. I was trying to say this though looking back the way I said it might not make much sense. Nymr83 wrote: the same is not true for other areas of reporting. sports-writing is more of an entertainment business than mst other reorting and they get a certain leeway to invent. Is this really true? I doubt it. I read little of the newspapers except the sports section, but I imagine shaky sources exist everywhere, and that editors will put in the degree of editing necessitated by the newspaper. To say that people can easily be fired and face criminal reprecussions for slander, in any specific area, is pretty silly when you look at the "newspapers" on display at the checkout aisle of ShopRite. All dependent on who you're writing for. Edit: Spelling

Mark Healey wrote: Well, I can assure you that I don't make anything up, because I do care about my reputation and my career. I also think you're nuts to suggest that anyone would do it, considering the consequences. True enough. While blanketly referring to the media, I realize there are probably many reporters/writers who will not use shaky sources to back up their article. But there have to be many who do. The sheer number of people trying to make it in that business makes me think that there have to be many people who will and have done anything to stand out. To think otherwise makes me think you are being a little naive. I have little to no actual experience in that industry, but I'd be more than a little surprised if it was the only one that escaped shady dealings. I'm also thinking you're way overstating how easy it is to lose your reputation and career, besided overestimating how many people have the integrity that you espouse.

Rotblatt wrote: Boo. I was really hoping Ortizzle would somehow pull it out. Why? If it's pure Yankee-hatred I can understand that. I'd be surprised if you thought Ortiz was more deserving. Fo shizzle.

Centerfield wrote: I hear "The choker doesn't deserve it" and other garbage like that. It's astonishing how unfairly a player of his caliber is treated in this town...and it shows how badly some fans are in need of a scapegoat. I thought I was the only one who felt this way.

I hate when movie reviewers (professional or amateur) say that a movie had too many characters, too many plot threads, or too much was going on, or I couldn't keep track of it, etc., etc., etc. Isn't this basically waving a white flag and saying, "I'm stupid! I can't handle movies with more than a hero, a hot chick, and a villain (and maybe the hero's sarcastic sidekick and/or numerous faceless evil henchmen). I'm stupid! I'm stupid!" I'm guessing these are people who don't read books. They're also probably more likely to say bad guy instead of two syllable-ers like villain or henchmen. _____________________________ This was Elster88's last post with the designation 126) Ray Knight. This post is forever frozen in time, head in hands, between third and home.

For topics (related to movies) for which you have a stronger feeling than a pet peeve.

Me too.

It's also amazing to me how many "sources within the team" or "people close to the team" get quoted anonymously. And in the instance where it is a legitimate person with clout within the organization I can see this happening: ________________________ "Sportswriter": Manny Ramirez is apparently on the block, are the Mets interested in trading for him? Met Exec: (stiff from talking to annoying jackasses all day) I don't really want to comment on that, we're happy with our players right now, and any such rumors that a particular player might be traded could hurt team chemistry. "Sportswriter": Oh of course, but Manny swings a mean bat, who wouldn't love him in their lineup? (chuckling) Met Exec: (relaxing a little) Well, yeah, he's a great player who could benefit any team he plays for. Whenever you hear that a guy like that could be available your ears always perk up a little. The next day: New York Daily News reports that a person high up in the organizational structure of the Mets is always interested in trading for Manny and would love to have his bat in the cleanup spot in 2006 at Shea. ________________ Now is that something that you are also going to electronically roll your eyes at? Seems possible to me. Actually, my pet theory is that whenever a source close to the team is mentioned that it's either the guy who rakes the dugout mounds or the janitor that empties the trash in the traveling secretary's assistant's office.

You know damn well that David Wright is the best hitter in baseball.